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Jill Hutchison

Being Frog

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Book Cover of "Being Frog" by April Pulley SayreBeing Frog by April Pulley Sayre
Publication/Release Date:
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Frogs are fascinating, and Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre is a beautiful look at these amphibians for young naturalists. Stunning photos and simple rhyming text show a tiny frog egg growing into a tadpole, then a tiny froglet able to leave the water. Readers then follow one day in the life of a green frog in a North American woodland pond: we see the frog swimming, climbing, hunting, missing its prey, and trying again. The author Sayre uses simple language to show that frogs are living creatures with their own needs, habitats, and behaviors- not playthings, but wild animals. An author’s note gives more information about how she observed and photographed the frogs over many months to create this lovely book, which is perfect for the youngest nature-lovers.

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Anya and the Dragon

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Cover of the book "Anya and the Dragon"Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Publication Date: September, 2019

Format: Book

Who it’s for: Kids

Set in a fantasy world based on 10th-century Russia, this is the story of Anya, the only Jewish girl in a small village. Things are already hard for her family- other villagers discriminate against them for their faith, and her father was drafted into the Tsar’s army. Now the family is about to be evicted from their home if they can’t pay the tax, and they don’t have the money. But the Tsar is offering a reward for anyone who can find a dangerous river dragon that’s said to live nearby, and Anya is determined to do whatever it takes to get the prize and save her family. She teams up with a boy named Ivan (who has seven older brothers also named Ivan), and they set out to hunt for the monster. There are others on the same quest, including a cold-hearted Viking named Sigurd who wants to kill the dragon before it can be captured. Anya and Ivan discover that the lands around their village are full of hidden magical creatures, and that nothing is what it seems- not even the dragon. They’ll have to make choices about right and wrong, duty and loyalty, and fight to save what they hold dear.

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Around the Table that Grandad Built

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Around the Table that Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill, illustrated by Jaime Kim
Publication/Release Date: 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

Around the Table that Grandad Built is a lovely celebration of family, tradition, memory, and gratitude. In cumulative text along the lines of “The House that Jack Built,” a joyful multicultural family prepares to share a special meal. They begin by moving “the table that grandad” built in to the center of the room, then gather “the sunflowers picked by my cousins” and “the napkins sewn by mom.” Each item used to set the table is special and treasured. Then comes the food- produce from the family’s garden and favorite recipes made with love. When all is ready, the extended family gathers to hold hands and give thanks around the table that Grandad built. This picture book is perfect for Thanksgiving, or any special family celebration!
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Attack of the Furball: A Christina Starspeeder Story

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Attack of the Furball: A Christina Starspeeder Story by Jarrett Krosoczka
Release date: September 3, 2019
Format: Book
Who’s it for: Kids

Young padawan Christina Starspeeder is having a tough year at the Jedi Academy! She left her younger brother at the lower Jedi Academy back on Coruscant to come to the advanced school on Jedha, where everything is harder. Her classes are harder, the droids are sarcastic, and her mentor, Jedi Master Skia Ro, is demanding. The only good thing is Christina’s secret new pet, an adorably fluffy baby nexu she sneaked back from a field trip to planet Cholganna. But cute little Fluffernut is starting to grow… and grow… and GROW! Christina didn’t know that nexu grow to be 14 feet long, or that they will chew up almost anything! To make matters worse, a mysterious bounty hunter is trying to steal Fluffernut. Can Christina protect her pet, outwit the bounty hunter, and make things right before she’s kicked out of Jedi Academy for good?
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Find all the Jedi Academy books in the catalog!

The Good Egg

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The Good Egg by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald
Publication Date: February 12, 2019
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

This is one good egg! Literally. The main character is an egg, and he’s very good- the one good egg in a dozen, while the other eggs’ behavior is often kind of rotten. The good egg rescues kittens, helps the elderly, cleans up messes, and tries to convince his siblings to be good too. But the pressure of trying so hard to be perfectly good, and trying to change others’ behavior, eventually makes the little egg start to crack. It’s time for the good egg to take some time for himself. Spending time to relax and try a few new things helps the good egg to learn some important lessons: not to be so hard on others or himself, and that he doesn’t have to be perfect to be a good egg.

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Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint

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Hildegard of Bingen: Scientist, Composer, Healer, and Saint by Demi
Publication Date: April 7, 2019
Who it’s for: Kids

Hildegard of Bingen was born in 1098, and she was one of the most remarkable and influential women of her time. Blessed with an astonishing array of talents, Hildegard was a mystic, theologian, scientist, doctor, nutritionist, composer, writer, linguist, and artist. Popes and kings, as well as humble peasants, sought her wise counsel. Today, Hildegard of Bingen is recognized as a saint and doctor by the Catholic Church and is  revered by many Lutherans and other Protestants. Find out more about her life in this beautifully illustrated book by award-winning author, Demi.

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Find more  illustrated biographies by Demi